UK: Details of Assisted Dying Bill Published

The Facts

• Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has claimed that current laws surrounding assisted dying in England and Wales are "not fit for purpose" as she published the details of a new bill on Monday aiming to legalize the process.

• The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill seeks to allow terminally ill adults with an expected maximum of six months left to live in England and Wales to be assisted in ending their life if made voluntarily and with the consent of two doctors and a High Court judge.

• There must be seven days separating the two doctor assessments, and – after Court approval – unless death is imminent the patient must wait another 14 days before self-administering medication to die.